Garmin Mounts: Barfly vs Quarq

May 9, 2012 by Andy Shen

Computer mount shootout

As a friend said to me the other day, you know you’re dominating your market when other people start making accessories for your product. And a quick glance around my weekend start line indicates that Garmin is becoming the computer of choice for racers. So it’s no surprise that there are some aftermarket mounts available to replace Garmin’s rather rudimentary mount (no to mention a ton of homemade versions too). Here’s a quick comparison of the Barfly and the Quarq.

Both mounts move the computer ahead of the bars, where it’s more visible, and safer in a crash. The Quarq (lower shot) holds the computer flush with the top of the bars for a cleaner look. You can also angle it up for better legibility – angle the Barfly up and it really starts to stick out there.

The Quarq’s bracket (left) is offset wider, which is great if you’re running that monster Cavendish stem. The Barfly is beefier, but both hold the computer vibration free and easily legible. And since there are hopeless weight weenies out there, the Barfly is 19g, Quarq 14g, and Garmin’s mount 6g.

The Quarq is a prototype that required some tape between the bracket and the bars (that’s what’s sticking out the side). The final product, due this summer, will not. The tape interface made it a bit tricky to get the computer perfectly straight and brought out the OCD in me. Hopefully the final product will plop on perfectly aligned like the Barfly does.

From an aesthetic standpoint there’s no question that the Quarq’s swooping lines are prettier. That faceplate actually serves to keep the computer in place, though it seems like a sneaky way for Quarq to usurp Garmin’s branding. Neither click and center the computer as smoothly as Garmin’s mount.

And the Winner is…

The Quarq is lighter and holds the computer in a better position. The Barfly works with all Garmins, not just the 500. The Barfly’s $40 price tag seems high to me (I got in on the original production run, when it was $30), but apparently not to most other people. The Quarq’s price is as yet unknown. And of course, only the Barfly is available right now.

42 Comments

$40 for this is just ridiculous…but, they’ll get it b/c cyclists are suckers for these things. Does the 6g for the Garmin Mount include the bands to hold it in place? The Chinese will knock these off and they’ll be selling on ebay for a $1 by the summer.

FWIW, I crashed last year and destroyed my 500, which was mounted on the stem. It was crushed between the stem and the ground on impact, so I do think these mounts could offer a little more protection. That makes $40 sound cheap…

Great to see the comparison we are currently carrying the Bar Fly and people love it – we can’t keep it on the shelves. But we are excited to see the Quarq option. The Garmin is an amazing tool and it deserves the best accessory.

Thanks for the review. There are still a few homemade ones that seem prettier. But what I really hope is that the guys at Trek, Specialiezd S-Works and Zipp come up with some bright ideas to integrate our loved Garmins into the stem, similar to the solution from 3T with their 3T Integra carbon stem with Garmin computer mount integrated. Integration is the word. More areo, less wire straps & Co!

Thanks Andy. I have been thinking of getting one.
One question though – how do these make it safer for the Garmin in crashes? I’d think that something sticking out like that would likely to get destroyed more than something attached on the stem. I have never crashed or heard a story of a crash where the top of the stem area was scraped or damaged in a crash.

These will make the handlebar mounted device obsolete soon anyway. Within a couple of years all your data will be on heads-up display on your glasses. You’ll also be able to watch movies and surf the internet while racing.

I really want one of these. Feels a little unsafe to look down at power numbers during hard intervals. But $40–Seriously? I’ll probably bite the bullet unfortunately, but there’s gotta be cheaper options out there.

Has anyone seen these kedge mounts up close? i heard from my local shop in melbourne these will be about $50-$60 but superior to the competitors. I use one of the chain catchers and haven’t had a drama.